Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-17
DAMASCUS, SYRIA,
Sunday April 10, 'S7.


We arrived here yesterday afternoon al
ter weeks hard riding from Nazareth
over mountains and rough roads. One
night we camped on top of Mt. Hermon,
about ), 600 feet above the sea, and 1t was
very cold and We could see snow IN some
places for miles and miles. We thought
we would freeze to death.
When we got here we went to our hotel
and found it full and we could not get any
looms, so we cane to another hotel and
found horse hitched to the handle OF the
front door. After getting it out of the
way we got in and found 4 very respectable
place, hut only two could get rooms, 50,
rs it was our only chance. we pitched our
tents up on the roof and had not
been there long TIL a rain and
thunder storm came up, but we had
to stand it. 1t rained all night, and still
10 u. IN. to-day, our tent did not leak
much, but it was very damp and cold.
Just imagine yourself in Il tent on the
rOofora house in a rain storm. We had
our rooms changed to-day and will sleep
in new building that is partly finished,
but think | would prefer the tent II II
did not rain, for the rooms are not al
together dry and very disagreeable, but
we will only have to stand it for two
nights, then we will leave Tor Beyrout and
then end the horse back riding; then VT
will have all rail and water. Since ! have
been gone | have seen the finest buildings
and the worst looking shanties and the
best and finest looking farms and country
and the worst looking country in the
world.
Mr.. Ell. Stead or any other EngIiShman
may we'll be proud of their Johnny Bull
country, for think it is the incest country
| ever saw. The farms are all laid OFF il
squares and separated with well trimed
hedge fences, and the hedge was nice and
green and the grass beginning to come up
and it seemed a perfect paradise to us as
we rode along in the ears.
received letter from Texas at JeruSa
lem, stating that Mr.. Will Riddle was
married. and | congratulated him and
wished him luck and prosperity and happi
ness. willie | wish you much JOY and q
great big Joy.'
In riding along the fertile valley of the
Nile river in Egypt amongst people that
] ulU not lOok like lItN were tlNlllLtN, tuN
| did not think they would know what 4
| traction engine was, but nevertheless
saw a dozen or so Of double cylin
| der traction engines. did not get time
| to examine them, rs | could only see from
! the car window, rs the train was running
| hut could SEE they were great deaI
! larger aud more bunglesOme than ours
They seemed great hlg ugly thing, but
! they looked strong enough to do the work
! Well | think have written enough fOl
this time, and think it will do you till
| ! get home, then | can talk you to sleep
about the different things l have seen if !
can only remember them.
| would like to hear from all Of you, but
| guess a letter from you would hardly
reach me rs ! will be in London abou,
May Is, four or five days earlier than W,
expected, by cutting oil day at one plac,
and another. The extra time we vii
spend in England, Scotland and Ireland
We will sail for Liverpool 4 week late
than we intended on account of the eXtr;
trip. We expect to be home about June
10 or - hope you have all been wei
and doing well.
Wishing yOu all pleasant goodbye,
am Yours truly,
john d. SPENCE.